Padstow is situated on the North Cornwall coast in an area of outstanding natural beauty.  The town itself lies near the mouth of the camel estuary which offers some protection from the weather.

The harbour is an attraction in itself, and there is always something going on, private boats come and go as well as fishing boats and speed boat trips.  Children line the harbour walls trying to catch crab, and there are shops and cafes all around as well as benches to sit and watch the activity from.  Fishing trips and pleasure boat trips can be taken from the harbour, Padstow is also home to the National Lobster Hatchery.  There are many excellent pubs and restaurants in the town.

A passenger ferry runs from Padstow to Rock frequently where watersports are available as well as a beautiful beach, backed by sand dunes that leads to Daymer Bay.  On the Padstow side of the estuary the coast path runs along the cliff top to stepper point at the mouth of the estuary, passing Hawker's cove on the way, a pretty and unspoilt sandy bay.

In the other direction the Camel Trail cycle path follows the river Camel to Wadebridge, some five and a half miles away.  Bikes can be hired for the day.

There are many beautiful Beaches close to Padstow, including Trevone, Harlyn (surf school available), Treyarnon, Boobys Bay and Constantine. Life guards operate from Easter to September on these beaches.  Click here for more information on beaches., from the Padstow Tourist Information site.

Attractions a little further afield include the Eden Project, St Michael's Mount, Tintagel castle, Boscastle, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, The National Maritime Museum at Falmouth and the Shipwreck and Heritage Centre at Charleston.

St Ives is a beautiful seaside town and a magnet for art lovers being home to The Tate Gallery, St Ives as well as many other art shops and galleries, it is about 45 mins away by car. 

The Minack Theatre is Cornwall's famous outdoor theatre and the summer season  runs from May to September presenting drama, musicals and opera in this most dramatic of settings.